BOSTON – The recently-completed $11 million makeover of Cruiseport Boston’s Black Falcon Terminal is bringing in some new cruise business the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) announced today. Beginning June 2012, the 2,974-passenger Carnival Glory will start sailing a series of four- and five day round-trip cruises to the Canadian Maritimes.

“Massport’s facilities are economic engines for the New England region and we expected our $11 million in capital improvements to the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal would not only be appreciated by the more than 300,000 passengers who use the facility each year, but it would generate renewed interest from cruise lines in the Port of Boston,” said Thomas J. Kinton Jr., Massport’s CEO & Executive Director. “Bringing Carnival Cruise Lines to Boston for regularly scheduled service is not only good economic news, it will provide New England residents more choices in cruising vacations.’’

The schedule will operate June 3 to July 26, 2012, and kick off with a seven-day cruise to Portland, Maine; Saint John, New Brunswick; Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia. Thereafter Carnival Glory will sail a series of four-day “long weekend” cruises to Saint John, New Brunswick, and five-day cruises to Halifax, Nova Scotia and Saint John, New Brunswick.

“We are thrilled to offer these four- and five-day cruises from Boston which is not only a world-class destination but also provides a convenient and affordable drive-to homeport for millions of Northeastern U.S. residents,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival’s president and CEO. “Carnival Glory is a fantastic ‘Fun Ship’ with so much to offer and on these cruises guests can visit charming and historic cities in eastern Canadian Maritimes while enjoying all the fun and excitement that Carnival is known for.” Cahill added that the recent renovation of the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal made cruising from Boston an even more appealing choice for Carnival to offer its guests.

“We are pleased to welcome Carnival Cruise Lines to Boston, and will work to make their Boston-Canada sailings a success,’’ said Mike Leone, Massport’s Director of the Port. “Carnival Glory provides a great opportunity for New Englanders and others to enjoy Eastern Canada during the summer months, and the shorter itineraries will be a huge draw for those with limited vacation time or who are looking to getaway for an extended weekend.”

Carnival is known as “The World’s Most Popular Cruise Line®,” with 23 “Fun Ships” giving their passengers the sense that they're crossing over into a whole new world of fun every time they walk up the gangway. The 13-deck Carnival Glory was launched in 2003 and offers spacious accommodations, a 270-square-foot poolside Seaside Theatre LED screen displaying movies, concerts and other programming; a 13,300 sq. ft. spa, four swimming pools – one with a Twister Waterslide; roomy and modern play areas for children, ’tweens and teens; and Serenity, an exclusive adults-only retreat. Several dining options are also available such as a 24-hour pizzeria, a sushi bar and a classic American steakhouse.

Cruiseport Boston serves as an economic engine for the region. According to a 2010 report by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), cruise industry spending generated about 7,157 jobs and $407 million in income for Massachusetts’ workers through direct, indirect, and induced impact. It is estimated that passengers and crew spent $22 million in Boston last year. Massachusetts accounted for more than $459 million in cruise industry direct spending in 2009, a 6 percent increase over 2008. The state ranks ninth nationally for economic impact from the cruise industry, rising from 11th in 2008. (Florida is first.)

For a fourth consecutive year, Cruiseport Boston set a new passenger record in 2010 with more than 300,000 travelers coming through the port. It was a seven percent increase over 2009. In October, officials unveiled the $11 million makeover of the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal, which modernized it from a vintage World War I military warehouse, into a hip new point of departure for ocean-going vacationers. The critical renovations were needed to keep pace with Boston’s growing cruise industry and to ensure the continued economic benefits that cruising brings to the region.

Cruiseport Boston’s Black Falcon Cruise Terminal is located just 10 minutes from the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) and Routes 1 and 93. It is also conveniently located just 10 minutes from Boston Logan International Airport and downtown Boston. Cruiseport Boston offers an attractive mix of cruises to Bermuda, Canada & New England, Europe and the Caribbean. Each year more than a 300,000 passengers use Cruiseport Boston. You can find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cruiseportboston or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cruiseboston. For more information, please visit www.cruiseportboston.com.

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field and Worcester Regional Airport. Massport is a financially self-sustaining public authority whose premier transportation facilities generate more than $8 billion annually, and enhance and enable economic growth and vitality in New England. No state tax dollars are used to fund operations or capital improvements at Massport facilities.